Miss A Columnist

Originally from India and raised in the Middle East, Ruksana Hussain is an Atlanta transplant who loves everything the city has to offer, be it the vibrant cultural scene or the burgeoning small businesses. An experienced writer and editor, Ruksana works with several local and national, print and online media outlets and publications, covering beats as varied as travel and food to social media and business. She is the president of Ed2010 in Atlanta and enjoys networking with several groups in the city, including the Atlanta Press Club where she was a finalist for the 2012 Excellence in Journalism Award for her work in print media. She currently spearheads two initiatives – the 100% Work from Home project and Ask, Answer, Author. When not busy writing, Ruksana is out and about in Atlanta discovering new spots, making new connections and falling in love with the city all over.

A two-time heart transplant recipient, managing partner Lester Crowell was inspired by his own experiences and launched the salon-sponsored show in 2011. The signature event raised $31,313.13 and $33,313.13 in its first and second years, respectively totalling $64,600+, and quickly earned a top spot in the beauty and philanthropic landscapes.

Since the age of 13, Lester struggled with IHSS (Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis) that directly impacted his entire family. At the young age of 40, Lester’s condition took a turn for the worse. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and put on the transplant list for the first time at the age of 43. Hardly able to walk, talk or move, he lay at the hospital while the same disease took the life of his beloved mother only two floors above him.

With determination and strength Lester continued on until he got the 1am call

Lester and team from Three-13 Salon (Photo Credit: Kitsy Rose PR)

from the Emory transplant coordinator on April 15, 2000. Lester received a healthy and strong heart and after a speedy recovery, he was able to join in on activities he never was able to do. After 9 years, the transplanted heart developed a common threat to all transplanted organs, chronic rejection, similar to coronary artery disease. The doctors told Lester, although he felt well, he was at high risk for a massive heart attack and the only option would be to go on the transplant list for a second time. Living in fear for nearly two years, Lester received the second call from the Emory transplant coordinator at 5:45am on December 3, 2010. Again Lester received a healthy and strong heart, reflected on the grace, fortune and protection he has been blessed with and at that moment, it became a mission for him to make a difference in the lives of those touched by transplants.

Transplants of any nature are very costly and there are families who are struggling just to pay for the monthly medications that can reach astronomical amounts, not including the hospital bills and after care. Lester started “Angels of Life” Hair and Fashion show in 2011 to help these families that struggle to pay for these transplant necessitates.

TICKETS: General admission tickets are $45 and include complimentary parking. VIP tickets are available for $79 and include early preview to silent auction, complimentary valet parking and (1) complimentary drink ticket. HALO VIP are available for $99 and include early preview to silent auction, complimentary valet parking and (2) complimentary drink tickets. Please click here to purchase.